[Citanul]

Powerful strides of his large paws brought him here. But why? Critical eyes watched the tides move the sand upon the beach. He was in a place where there were few others, just those combing the sands for salt, or on a hunt for one of the Palmie creatures. Those there rapidly shrunk away from his presence.

Ears flickered for a moment before he turned towards the water, the salt on the sands making a soft ache begin in his pads. He continued on though, persisting. There was a reason for his presence. Something here needed his judgement. At the very least, needed something straightened out, something... Something.

Krites. The Judge. Executioner. He wanted a purpose for being here other than to endure stinging salt upon his paws. There was a slight satisfaction in watching the other evelonians scamper from his powerful presence, however.

[Krites lv1][1]

[Flame]

Clear, aqua-blue water lapped gently against the obstructions that broke the current's steady flow, causing the crystalline liquid to ripple and swirl in eddies about the four limbs that stood, calf-deep in the cool water. Silvery-gray fur swished gently against long, lithe limbs, moved by the soothing pull of the tide. A light breeze skimmed across the surface of the ocean, bringing inland a tang of sea salt, a fresh scent that was inhaled deeply as the creature relished the clean, slightly stinging aroma that was associated with the ocean. How long had it been? Years? She had not visited the huge expanse of water since her puphood, and returning to the sea once again was like being reunited with a long-lost companion. She felt an innate connection with the wild, uncontainable ocean, and standing here, her face to the wind, tails streaming out behind her like silver and navy banners, she felt wild, free, indomitable.

Intricate designs upon her silver coat shimmered and danced as they rippled with the breeze, tails flicking slightly, brushing against the surface of the water as dreamy, storm-gray eyes blinked open. The femme had sensed some slight change in the atmosphere about her, but it was something she couldn't quite place. A flash silver at her feet caught her attention, and her gaze flickered down to see a small shoal of glittering fish dart by, riding the current. The lonely cry of a seagull rose into the air as it took flight from the shore, apparently startled by something, and a slight turn of her regal crown allowed her sight to capture a lone male Lucain wandering down the shoreline towards her, his pawprints leaving a solitary trail along the path he had taken. For a moment, she scrutinized him, her mind indifferent: He had nothing to do with her, and she him, and she could find no reason to disturb another. Many came to these shores to escape from something, or to contemplate. It was indeed a good place for meditation, and before long, the proud head once again turned to face the unending expanse before her that was the ocean, watching the waves ripple and dance in the distance.

[Citanul]

There was someone following him.... Trying to ignore it, Krites turned his gaze out to sea. None of the creatures were daring enough to come out of the water with his presence there.

Finally he turned to see the female. Hm. Was she not bothered? That was a first - but he paid little mind to it. She seemed the kind to not even care, to be 'uppity', for a lack of a better word. Oh well though. It was not his concern... Hm.

Unless she was the one he was here to exterminate. How many people had she put down in the name of her own ego? He would watch her carefully while she was here at the beach... That much was obvious. His job came before the pleasure of the tangy ocean air.

[Flame]

The sun was high in the aquamarine sky, its light reflected on the rippling surface of the ocean, almost blinding. The femme once again filled her lungs to their limit with the cool, refreshing breeze, overcome by a sensation as if she could almost fly, if she tried. Silver wingblades glinted in the bright sun, catching the light like mirrors. Zion had come out here to escape the real world, to find a place for herself where she could simply steal some quiet time to think, enjoy life for all it was worth. So far, although she had relaxed considerably since leaving home, she still had a strange sense of unaccomplishment, as if there was something she was meant to do, yet had yet to discover what.

The sensation of eyes boring into the back of her head nagged at her consciousness, and although she tried to ignore it, after a few moments, the pull turned her head once again towards the shore, where the same azure-hued male Lucain still stood, now scrutinizing her with an unreadable expression. Her own piercing, mist-colored eyes caught his gaze, holding it for a moment, as if she were reading his thoughts, his intentions. Her own irises were inscrutable, yet there was an energy that danced within their depths that could trap and hold anyone's attention. There seemed to be a faint questioning in her gaze though, as she returned the look that the male gave her, a cool sort of curiosity, wondering why he had chosen to stop and regard her so closely, instead of continuing on his own way.

[Citanul]

As their eyes met the blue-hued Lucain bristled. It was barely noticable, but he watched carefully. His eyes certainly did not leave hers, pink-red eyes not daring to leave her gaze. Curious, sure... But more scrutinizing than anything. What was this female trying to do? If this was a challenge he would beat her down.

But then again, there were few who would tangle with him and he knew that. Krites would wait for her to move her gaze though, his tails flickering slightly as he waited.

[Flame]

Zion watched carefully as the male Lucain met her gaze, her attention on the alert for any possibly threatening gestures from the blue brute. There seemed to be a level of...discomfort in his gaze, as if he too, was unsure of what she was going to do. Usually, most other creatures that she had encountered were not this...wary or uptight upon first impressions, but she was careful not to judge before she really knew what was going on. As she watched him, she noticed what seemed to be an almost challenging light in his gaze, as if daring her to break the eye-contact, and in doing so, admit submission.

Although Zion was an amiable and quite easy-to-get-along-with sort of Lucain, one thing she would not do was to submit to one whom she had never even met before. Despite the fact that he seemed visibly relatively larger and stronger than herself, she would not back down to him unless he gave her a good reason for doing so. Thus, she simply drew herself up into a more dignified position, her silver eyes still riveted upon pink ones.

[Citanul]

Seems they were going to both watch eachother like this. He would not break the contact, still alert and weary of this new Lucain. She was obviously well cared for, coat clean and groomed. Either she had a good pack or a trainer.

With her not backing down... Well, he didn't give an open challenege, but his gaze was not moved from hers. She could act as dignified as she liked, he was not backing. "I am Krites. And what are you called, female?" His tone was not exactly welcoming, but not completely hostile either. Cautious, a little hostile, but he was watching her carefully.

[Flame]

After a few minutes, it was obvious that neither Lucain was about to back down to the other.
Well, perhaps he should have thought of that beforehand...
Zion thought dryly to herself, wondering how long the male could stay completely mute.
She was about to break the silence with a dry comment when the newcomer decided finally that it was a good time to break the silence.
"I am Krites. And what are you called, female?"
Well, this certainly wasn't the most polite greeting she had heard by far, but she didn't let the male's lack of niceties get to her. For a moment, she considered shooting back a witty remark in return, but decided against it. It would be unwise to seek trouble where there was none to be found...or at least where it could be avoided.
"Zion."
The answer finally came, short, sweet and to the point.
She noticed that his posture and the look he gave her certainly radiated self-confidence, and apparent mistrust in herself. Certainly, exercising caution was good, even during these times of peace, but did people really have to be this cold? Her own stance relaxed slightly, allowing some of the tension to flow from her muscles. Perhaps this uptight male could loosen up a little as well. He looked like he needed a break from being constantly so...serious.

[Citanul]

Well, this executioner was not known for his manners. One didn't need them when they had force to back up their strengths. It wasn't a stretch to think that most backed down from the intense gaze of this particular male, likely surprising that the female stood up to his challenge.

"Whom do you pledge your alligences to?" Even as she seemed less tense he did not relax his own stance, muscles taught and ready to pounce at her. Looks could be deciving... He knew of many innocent looking ones that had hearts of darkness.

Her answer would dictate his next actions... Possibly relax in her presence... Or tear into her for her misdeeds.

[Flame]

Silver eyes narrowed, eyeing the male with a cool expression. So...all that she knew about him so far was that his name was Krites, and that he was not the most well-disposed of all Evelonians. She held her peace though, although her attitude edged towards nonchalance.
"To whom do you pledge your allegiances to?"
Zion paused, half-tempted to make a snappy return in reply, but checked her temper. Apparently, this...Krites knew just how to push the wrong nerves. Who was he, a complete stranger, to ask about her allegiances? She eyed him flatly for a moment, then finally parted her jaws to answer.

"None other than myself and my family."
After she had replied, he returned his look, clearly expecting an answer likewise.

[Citanul]

This was one executioner that was unshaken by snappy remarks, even if she had given one. He just watched her, red eyes not leaving her gaze. A complete stranger... But one who could possibly hold her life in his paws.

"I pledge allegiance to no one."

The answer was short and to the point. He seemed pleased with what she had said however, finally dropping his intense gaze to turn his back and leave. Hm. Seems he found her to not be a threat, or he would have attacked, incapacitating her before he left.

[Flame]

"So, no time to stick around and chat with a commoner unlike your noble self, eh?"
The femme's voice once again broke the air as the male turned to leave, her tone dry, but perhaps holding an underlying current of amusement. It was not her nature to hold grudges against people, but so far, this male had to be the rudest, most ungrateful person she had yet to meet, and, considering the fact that she had not talked to anyone in quite a long period of time, since she had left "home", to be exact, this was an opportunity not to be passed up. There had yet to be another to come by this way along this desolate stretch of beach, and considering no one that had any reason other than contemplation would walk this lone path, she figured this male probably had something on his mind as well.
The gentle, aquamarine waves continued to swirl about her legs as she awaited his answer, the breeze ruffling her silver and navy-splashed fur.

[Citanul]

"I claim no noble birth."

The words were nearly growled as he moved to look back at the female. He had little patience for those who had attitudes like this, expecially one who made false assumptions. ...Maybe this female needed a lesson in humility.

With a quiet growl he watched her, fur slightly bristled. "I am the judge of all, the executioner. You should watch your tongue."

[Flame]

Zion nearly laughed at Krites' words, at how he had managed to misinterpret them.
Goodness gracious...someone is, indeed, touchy today.
Talk about having no sense of humor. She returned his gaze steadily, showing no reaction save the arching of one brow as she listened to his words. So, she needed a lesson in humility, did she? Well, well...he would be one to talk.
Once again, the male ego surfaces...
she thought dryly, and with some amusement. How different males were out here than they were at home. From where she came, there were only two male Lucain, father and son, and neither of them had the self-confidence nor audacity to speak like this to a female. Indeed though, this made for quite an interesting challenge.
"Ah, yes...But who is to say that's true? You have nothing but your own words."
A small, teasing smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. Perhaps she, in turn, could give this...Krites, a lesson in modesty and manners as well.

[Citanul]

Male ego? Oh, it was no ego of his... This was how he was raised. This was his purpose, to judge and to carry out punishment. This female was right about one thing, however. He had no sense of humor. There was no reason for humour when there was a job to be done.

"And who to say it is not? Your words?" He retorted with a quiet growl. This Lucain needed no more lessons in life... He had his fair share of them.